The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-03-02
GEORGE GRENFELL,
TINE BAPTIST MISSIONARY WITH
Al MICRO WIFE,
and the Africans Than Any
MAN LiviBg.

LONDON, February 28.-Probably no
missionary in the world has been 70
prominently before the public in
the last two years as the Rev.
George Grenfell, Of the Baptist Congo
missions. His name will always be
associated with the exploration OF
most OF the Congo tributaries that are
now known. He has not only seen
more of the Congo basin than any
other man, but he Is also careful OBJ.
server, good route surveyor, and
fairly yell skilled in the use of geo.
graphical instruments. The geograph-
cal societies OF England, France and
Germany have sought for and pub
lished contributions from him, and
there Is no doubt that, next
to Livingstone and Krspf, he
deseryedly ranks among the
foremos. OF Africa's missionary
travellers. Perhaps few OF the thous.
ands who have read the reports OF bis
interesting journeys are aware that
Mr.. Grenfell, who is thorough Eng-
lishman, is the husband OF native OF
Africa. His wife is colored woman,
originally a heather, whose tribe has
for many years inhabited the Atlantic
coast little north OF the Congo. He
10, perhaps, the only missionary in
Africa who has married native. This
strange marriage Ia said to have come
| about in this way: Few missionaries
| In Africa have had Grenfell's large
and varied experience, though he is
still in the prime Of life. Before we
heard of him on the Congo at all he
told us much about the Cameroons
country, which the Germans have
since annexed. Grenfsll Is one OF the
few men who seem perfectly adapt-
ed for such life as he is leading. He
loves his wild surroundings, he loves
the explorers toilsome life, he seems
TO endure the climate as we'll as a
native, and his heart is thoroughly en-
listed in the work OF Christ
ian missions. While geog
raphers have been reading and writing
about the new regions and tribes he
revealed to the world, he has looked
upon these new countries chiefly as
new fields for missionary enterprises
Grenfell made up his mind long ego
that he was destined to live and die II
Africa. He decided, it is taid, aftel
long reflection, that it would greatly
impair his usefulness il he took a wife
from amorg the fair daughters of hi
native land. He had good reason Il
doubt that he would be lucky enough
to fnd white woman who ceu'd en-
dure as well as he the climate Of thu
torrid zone. He had not the slightes
desire to marry anybody whose life o
health would be sacrificed il ne tool
her TO Africa, or for whom he mi h
have to sacrifice his life work by goin
back to England with her. He there
fore decided when he married to wet
q native Of the country. In the cours
OF time Grenfell met his fate at tn
mission station and trading pos
OF Kabinda, on the coas
not far north Of the mouth O
the Congo. He saw among tn
mission converts bright youn
woman who had received a fair educa
ton in the mission schools of Kabiuda
She was a comely girl. She had bee
instructed for years 10 the art of house
wifery by the mission ladies', dresse,
in the garb of her civilized sisters, wa
neat and industrious and a devou
Christian. She was, in fact, in he
changed condition, one Of the bee
products OF missionary abor. CREME
believed sho would make him a goo
helpmeet In his future Ardu0us wor
az q pioneer missionary. In due tim
they were married, and fIom that da
to this Grenfsll's friends say he hs
had no reason 10 regretthe very unusus
choice he made. 1t can he said, OF
the authority OF Henry M. Stanley
that the two babies who have bee
born to Mr.. and Mrs. Grenfell ar
beautiful little children" The hom
OF the Grenfells Ia on Stanley poo
, but until the past year they have no
been there much OF the time. Mr.
, Greniell and one of the children a
, companied the missionary on some {
, the adventurous journeysin which b
has explored over 5000 miles Of til
nayigable waters of the Congo BASH
/ She sat imperturbed and very con
Portable behind the wire screen thu
i warded of the showers Of arrow
! which were launched at the lit
steamer Peace by the hostile native
Of the Mobangl river. A writer, VIII
: evidently had not heard Of Mr.. Grel
I fell's little romance, recently mel
g toned as proof OF the fact that whit
: ladies can retain their health and VigC
, on the Congo that the missionsr.
h. Grenfell, was accompanied on his loT